Hope for soccer in China
Updated: 2011-07-14 07:57
(China Daily)
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The beleaguered Chinese soccer association has welcomed an investment of 500 million yuan ($77.33 million) from Dalian Wanda. Hopefully, the money will help Chinese soccer to improve and prosper.
Dalian Wanda has promised to inject 500 million yuan in three years to cultivate young players, upgrade domestic leagues, train referees and hire world-class coaches to lead the men's and women's national teams.
Among Wanda's ambitious plans, the one to help talented players aged between 15 and 17 years play overseas for two to three years appears to be the most far-reaching.
The failure to develop teenage players has led to a slump in soccer standards, especially men's soccer, in recent years. The Japanese youth team fared excellently at the recent under-17 Football World Cup, providing a good example for us to follow.
To revitalize Chinese soccer, we should take effective measures to enhance the youth training system and improve players' athletic skills.
Jia Maohui, via e-mail
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